IND vs SA 3rd T20I: World No. 1 T20I bowler Varun Chakaravarthy added another major milestone to his rapidly growing international career on Sunday, December 14, during the third T20I between India and
South Africa at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
The mystery spinner became the second-fastest Indian bowler to claim 50 wickets in T20 internationals, underlining his remarkable impact in the shortest format.
The Dharamsala fixture marked Varun's 32nd appearance for India in T20Is, and it was in this match that he reached the landmark wicket. Since making his international debut, the Tamil Nadu spinner has been a consistent threat with his variations, often breaking partnerships and applying pressure in the middle overs. His rise to the top of the T20I bowling rankings has been swift, and this latest achievement further cements his status as one of India's most potent white-ball bowlers.
Among Indian bowlers, only Kuldeep Yadav has reached the 50-wicket mark quicker than Varun. Kuldeep achieved the feat in just 30 matches, getting to the milestone during an India-West Indies clash in Providence on August 8, 2023. Varun now follows closely behind, reaching the same tally just two games later, an impressive statistic considering the competitiveness of modern T20 cricket.
On the global stage, the record for the fastest bowler to take 50 wickets in T20Is belongs to Botswana spinner Dhruvkumar Maisuria, who accomplished the feat in just 22 matches. While Varun's journey has come against top international sides, his pace in reaching the milestone places him among elite company worldwide.
Varun's success has been built on discipline, control and unpredictability rather than sheer pace. His ability to deceive batters with subtle changes in flight and speed has made him a key weapon for India, particularly on surfaces that offer even minimal assistance to spinners.
At the time of writing this article, South Africa are reeling at 81/7 after 16 overs of play.
